MOU a commitment to collaboration, Whistler CAO says

Agreement to be presented to council on Tues., April 25

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations, Whistler Blackcomb (WB) and the provincial government is a commitment to collaboration, according to Whistler's Chief Administrative Officer Mike Furey.

The agreement comes in conjunction with provincial approval of a new 60-year Master Development Agreement for WB on Feb. 24.

The MOU — which is not legally binding — lists a number of key interests that the parties have agreed to explore.

"It's a demonstration of our commitment to working in partnership," Furey said in a media briefing on Thur., April 20.

"I put my signature on behalf of council on here to say 'yes, let's keep working together, and what are some key issues?'"

The key interests:

-transfer of the Kadenwood Lands to the First Nations in exchange for the Emerald Lands;

-appropriate development opportunities at Kadenwood, South Base or other suitable locations in the Controlled Recreation Area (CRA);

-an approach to the value of the options lands required for the South Base opportunities, or other suitable locations in the CRA;

-development of a management planning process with respect to Crown Lands in RMOW boundaries;

-First Nations' support of a new Official Community Plan (OCP) for the RMOW;

-recognition in the OCP of the Kadenwood, South Base or other suitable development opportunities within the CRA;

-and consideration from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development to remove the requirement for Ministerial approval of future OCPs, or amendments to them.

In regards to development, it's too early to talk specifics, Furey said.

"We haven't gone down that road in any extensive detail... it's a municipal lot now and we don't have any designated density on it at this time, but it certainly has potential," Furey said of the Kadenwood Lands.

"I think it's premature to speculate... we haven't done any swap around it. We have to understand what their interests are, and go through all those discussions."

Those discussions would likely include the finer details — things like density and proximity to the highway — and any potential development would be subject to zonings and community planning.

"We're prepared to enter into good faith negotiations and discussions to explore their interests, and in turn bring the community interests to the table," Furey said.

"We're very aware of our need to have community involvement, and particularly as we look to the future — ensuring that the community is brought along in discussions," he added.

The MOU will be presented at the next council meeting on Tues., April 25 at the Maury Young Arts Centre.

The meeting kicks off at 5:30 with a public question and answer period.